PM Takaichi Vows to Seek Refundable Tax Credit Program

Tokyo, Nov. 4 (Jiji Press)–Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Tuesday that her government will seek to introduce a refundable tax credit program, which would provide cash benefits or tax cuts depending on income level. “We will consider it as soon as possible and aim to realize it,” Takaichi said in response to a question about the proposed program from Yoshihiko Noda, leader of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, in a question-and-answer session at the House of Representatives, the lower chamber of parliament. Regarding a plan to reduce Lower House seats, included in a coalition agreement between Takaichi’s Liberal Democratic Party and its new partner, Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Innovation Party), she expressed hopes for “sincere discussions with each party and parliamentary group,” adding that such a measure needs very wide support. Noda urged Takaichi to accept a proposal to limit the recipients of political donations by corporations and other organizations to the headquarters of political parties and similar organizations. But Takaichi only replied that the LDP and Nippon Ishin will set up a consultative body on the matter during the current parliament session. It was the first parliamentary debate since Takaichi became prime minister last month. Question-and-answer sessions on her policy speech before parliament, delivered on Oct. 24, will be held in both chambers through Thursday. On Tuesday, Noda criticized Takaichi for appointing seven LDP lawmakers involved in the slush fund scandal at party factions as state minister or parliamentary vice minister. “Each of the lawmakers has fulfilled their accountability thoroughly,” Takaichi said, defending the appointments. She also said she apologizes “from the bottom of my heart” for the scandal. Noda called for cooperation to achieve zero consumption tax on food, but Takaichi was cautious. “Priority should be given to what can be done immediately to counter high prices,” she said, noting that it takes time to change systems to make food free of consumption tax. Takaichi declined to say whether she will nominate U.S. President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize. During her meeting with Trump in Tokyo on Oct. 28, she said she intended to nominate him. The prime minister reiterated her commitment to amending the Constitution, stating, “We will tenaciously do our best to create an environment in which a referendum on whether to make a revision will be held as soon as possible.” On this topic, she was responding to LDP Policy Research Council Chairman Takayuki Kobayashi. Nippon Ishin co-leader Fumitake Fujita attended a parliamentary question-and-answer session for the first time since his party formed the ruling coalition with the LDP last month. Fujita asked for Takaichi’s opinion on Nippon Ishin’s pet project of creating a secondary capital that can serve as a backup of Tokyo in an emergency. She replied that the ruling parties will set up a consultative body on the issue. Asked about her determination to revise the Penal Code to create the crime of damaging the Japanese national flag, Takaichi said that the government will take necessary action to make the amendment. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]